Ratchet Screwdriver That Stores Tips Of Different Sizes

ABSTRACT

A ratchet screwdriver includes a handle having an inside provided with a plurality of receiving chambers, a ratchet device mounted on the handle, a shank having a first end connected with the ratchet device and a second end provided with a drive head, and a cover rotatably mounted on the handle and provided with an exposing hole that is movable to align with one of the receiving chambers. Thus, the receiving chambers of the handle receive and store a plurality of tips of different sizes and specifications, thereby facilitating a user carrying the tips. In addition, the exposing hole of the cover is movable to align with any one of the receiving chambers of the handle to facilitate the user identifying the tip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a screwdriver and, more particularly,to a ratchet screwdriver to drive a workpiece, such as a screw, nut andthe like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional ratchet screwdriver comprises a handle, a ratchet devicemounted on the handle, and a shank having a first end connected with theratchet device and a second end provided with a drive head. Inoperation, the drive head of the shank co-operates tips of differentsizes and specifications so as to drive a workpiece, such as a screw,nut and the like. However, the user has to provide a tool box to receivethe tips of different sizes and specifications, thereby causing a burdento the user. In addition, the ratchet screwdriver is inoperative whenthe tips are missed, thereby causing inconvenience to the user whenoperating the ratchet screwdriver. Further, the tips contact each otherin the tool box, so that the tips are easily worn out due to frequentcollisions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ratchetscrewdriver, comprising a handle having an inside provided with aplurality of receiving chambers, a ratchet device mounted on the handle,a shank having a first end connected with the ratchet device and asecond end provided with a drive head, and a cover rotatably mounted onthe handle to cover the receiving chambers of the handle and providedwith an exposing hole that is movable to align with one of the receivingchambers of the handle.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a ratchetscrewdriver that stores tips of different sizes.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a ratchetscrewdriver, wherein the receiving chambers of the handle are used toreceive and store a plurality of tips of different sizes andspecifications, thereby facilitating a user carrying the tips.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a ratchetscrewdriver, wherein the receiving chambers of the handle separate fromeach other to store the tips individually so that the tips will notcontact each other, thereby preventing the tips from being worn out dueto frequent collisions.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a ratchetscrewdriver, wherein the exposing hole of the cover is movable to alignwith any one of the receiving chambers of the handle to facilitate theuser identifying the tip, so that the ratchet screwdriver can provide anidentification function.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ratchet screwdriver in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ratchet screwdriver asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a limit member of the ratchetscrewdriver as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the ratchet screwdriver asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the ratchet screwdriver asshown in FIG. 4 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a ratchetscrewdriver in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a handle 10 having an inside provided with aplurality of receiving chambers 11, a ratchet device 20 mounted on thehandle 10, a shank 30 having a first end connected with the ratchetdevice 20 and a second end provided with a drive head 31, a cover 12rotatably mounted on the handle 10 to cover the receiving chambers 11 ofthe handle 10 and provided with an exposing hole 121 that is movable toalign with one of the receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10, and alimit member 40 abutting the cover 12 to limit movement of the cover 12.

The handle 10 has an end portion provided with a protruding mountingstud 14. The mounting stud 14 of the handle 10 has a substantiallyhexagonal shape and is located at a central portion of the receivingchambers 11. The receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10 separate fromeach other and surrounds the mounting stud 14. Each of the receivingchambers 11 of the handle 10 extends in a longitudinal direction of thehandle 10 and is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of thehandle 10. Each of the receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10 is fullycovered and sealed by a periphery of the cover 12 so that only one ofthe receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10 is exposed outwardly from theexposing hole 121 of the cover 12.

The cover 12 is rotatably mounted on the mounting stud 14 of the handle10 and is located between the handle 10 and the limit member 40. Thecover 12 is rotatable between the handle 10 and the limit member 40 andhas a side provided with a plurality of positioning bosses 122 which arearranged in an annular shape.

The limit member 40 is mounted on the mounting stud 14 of the handle 10and is located between the cover 12 and the ratchet device 20. The limitmember 40 has an inside provided with a through hole 42 mounted on themounting stud 14 of the handle 10. The through hole 42 of the limitmember 40 has a substantially hexagonal shape to correspond to that ofthe mounting stud 14 of the handle 10 so that the limit member 40 isnon-rotatable relative to the handle 10 and the cover 12. The limitmember 40 has a side provided with a plurality of positioning holes 41which are arranged in an annular shape to position the positioningbosses 122 of the cover 12 temporarily.

In practice, referring to FIGS. 1-5, the receiving chambers 11 of thehandle 10 are used to receive and store a plurality of tips 50 which areused to co-operate with the drive head 31 of the shank 30. When theexposing hole 121 of the cover 12 is movable to align with one of thereceiving chambers 11 of the handle 10, the tip 50 contained in therespective one of the receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10 can betaken from the exposing hole 121 of the cover 12 as shown in FIG. 5 foruse with a user. At this time, the positioning holes 41 of the limitmember 40 can position the positioning bosses 122 of the cover 12 so asto position the cover 12 temporarily so that the cover 12 is rotatablestep by step.

Accordingly, the receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10 are used toreceive and store a plurality of tips 50 of different sizes andspecifications, thereby facilitating a user carrying the tips 50. Inaddition, the receiving chambers 11 of the handle 10 separate from eachother to store the tips 50 individually so that the tips 50 will notcontact each other, thereby preventing the tips 50 from being worn outdue to frequent collisions. Further, the exposing hole 121 of the cover12 is movable to align with any one of the receiving chambers 11 of thehandle 10 to facilitate the user identifying the tip 50, so that theratchet screwdriver can provide an identification function.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many otherpossible modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated thatthe appended claim or claims will cover such modifications andvariations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

1. A ratchet screwdriver, comprising: a handle having an inside providedwith a plurality of receiving chambers; a ratchet device mounted on thehandle; a shank having a first end connected with the ratchet device anda second end provided with a drive head; a cover rotatably mounted onthe handle to cover the receiving chambers of the handle and providedwith an exposing hole that is movable to align with one of the receivingchambers of the handle; wherein each of the receiving chambers of thehandle extends in a longitudinal direction of the handle; each of thereceiving chambers of the handle is inclined relative to thelongitudinal direction of the handle.
 2. The ratchet screwdriver inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising: a limit member abutting thecover to limit movement of the cover.
 3. The ratchet screwdriver inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the receiving chambers of the handleseparate from each other.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. The ratchetscrewdriver in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cover has a sideprovided with a plurality of positioning bosses; the limit member has aside provided with a plurality of positioning holes to position thepositioning bosses of the cover temporarily.
 7. The ratchet screwdriverin accordance with claim 6, wherein the positioning bosses of the coverare arranged in an annular shape; the positioning holes of the limitmember are arranged in an annular shape.
 8. A ratchet screwdriver,comprising: a handle having an inside provided with a plurality ofreceiving chambers; a ratchet device mounted on the handle; a shankhaving a first end connected with the ratchet device and a second endprovided with a drive head; a cover rotatably mounted on the handle tocover the receiving chambers of the handle and provided with an exposinghole that is movable to align with one of the receiving chambers of thehandle; wherein each of the receiving chambers of the handle is fullycovered and sealed by a periphery of the cover so that only one of thereceiving chambers of the handle is exposed outwardly from the exposinghole of the cover.
 9. The ratchet screwdriver in accordance with claim2, wherein the cover is rotatable between the handle and the limitmember.
 10. A ratchet screwdriver, comprising: a handle having an insideprovided with a plurality of receiving chambers; a ratchet devicemounted on the handle; a shank having a first end connected with theratchet device and a second end provided with a drive head; a coverrotatably mounted on the handle to cover the receiving chambers of thehandle and provided with an exposing hole that is movable to align withone of the receiving chambers of the handle; a limit member abutting thecover to limit movement of the cover; wherein the handle has an endportion provided with a protruding mounting stud; the mounting stud ofthe handle is located at a central portion of the receiving chambers.11. (canceled)
 12. The ratchet screwdriver in accordance with claim 10,wherein the receiving chambers of the handle surrounds the mountingstud.
 13. The ratchet screwdriver in accordance with claim 10, whereinthe cover is rotatably mounted on the mounting stud of the handle and islocated between the handle and the limit member.
 14. The ratchetscrewdriver in accordance with claim 10, wherein the limit member ismounted on the mounting stud of the handle and is located between thecover and the ratchet device.
 15. The ratchet screwdriver in accordancewith claim 10, wherein the limit member has an inside provided with athrough hole mounted on the mounting stud of the handle.
 16. The ratchetscrewdriver in accordance with claim 15, wherein the mounting stud ofthe handle has a substantially hexagonal shape; the through hole of thelimit member has a substantially hexagonal shape to correspond to thatof the mounting stud of the handle so that the limit member isnon-rotatable relative to the handle and the cover.